ITHACA, N.Y. – The Norwich University wrestling program opened its 2015-16 season at the Ithaca Invitational, featuring 12 Division III wrestling teams, in which was hosted by Ithaca College.
Springfield is currently in first place with 39 points, Ithaca is in second with 35.5, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) is in third with 31.5, Stevens Institute of Technology in fourth with 30.5, while Norwich sits in fifth with just 29.5 points on the night.
At 125, freshman Jacob Forsman (Voorhees, N.J.) pinned Matthew Lopez of Rhode Island College in just 2:56 in the second championship round after a bye in the first round. Forsman will take on James Kaishian of Ithaca College tomorrow in the quarterfinals round.
Freshman Sean Randles (Las Vegas, Nev.) lost the first second round of the 133 weight class to Bryan Isreal of Ithaca College by a 8-2 decision before rebounding in the consolation bracket with a bye and a technical fall over Nicholas Arroyo of Springfield Tech with a 19-3 score.
At 141, newcomer Zach Morris (South Glen Falls, N.Y.) pinned Jake Nault of Springfield in 4:18 and will face Demetri D'Orsaneo of Ithaca College in the quarterfinals round of the championship bracket.
Junior Ben Swanson (Little Silver, N.J.) had several close battles at 157 as he won the first two rounds of the championship bracket with a 16-0 technical fall over Oswego's Todd Woodcock before a 14-6 major decision to Raymond Jazikoff of New York University placed him in the consolation bracket. From there Swanson fought his way back into contention with a 10-8 decision over another Laker, Mark Milisci, in the first sudden victory.
At 165, freshman Pat McCurdy (Alloway, N.J.) pinned Vincent Buscemi of RIT in just 1:50 before a 15-6 major decision to Ryan Ward of Springfield bumped him into the consolation round. From there, McCurdy advanced to the fourth round of the consolation after a forfeit in the second before pinning Alfred State's Jacob Willis in 2:32 for eight team points on the night.
Steve Briganti (Trumbull, Conn.) would pick up a bye in the first round of the 174 championship bracket before defeating Nicholas Koury of Springfield with a 9-0 major decision for three team points and his first collegiate win. He will face Phil Woods of Stevens Institute tomorrow.
The 184 bracket saw two Norwich wrestlers still in contention as junior David Rogers (Marlborough, Mass.) pinned Daniel Webster's Emilio Eldakkache in just 1:12. Cole Boone was less unfortunate as he was bumped to the consolation round after being pinned by Danny Moore of Stevens Institute and could face his own teammate, Rogers tomorrow , who faces Carolos Toribio of Ithaca College first thing in the morning.
At 197, Satchel Stauffer (Cataqsauqua, Pa.) suffered a 21-6 technical fall to Domenic Liquori of Springfield Tech before picking up his first collegiate win with a tight 8-7 decision over Ryan Jachim of Stevens Institute to stay alive in the consolation bracket. In the same weight class, Bryan Giblin (Georgetown, Mass.), ranked fifth in the NEWA preseason pool, picked up a 15-6 major decision over Rhode Island College's Victor Zabalu for his first win of the season and will take on Daniel Glinko of Ithaca College in the quarterfinal round of the championship bracket.
The heavyweight bracket (285 pounds) saw two of three Norwich wrestlers advancing to the third round of the championship bracket. Sophomore Paul Kotler (Orlando, Fla.) started the evening with a tight battle against Alex Kane of Daniel Webster that had to be decided in two 30 second periods for the double tie breaker for the 8-4 victory.
Sophomore Frank Girolamo (Stoughton, Mass.), who was ranked second in the NEWA preseason rankings, picked up his first win of the season with a 4-2 decision in sudden victory over Alfred State's Riley Andrews. Girolamo will look to continue the path to the finals as he opens tomorrow's quarterfinal match against Stevens Institute's Tyler Maher.
The Cadets will resume action at the Ithaca Invitational on Saturday at 10:30 a.m.
